FoodChain’s Impact
How does this influence our work?
A sustainable food system must encompass principles of equity, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to long-term community impact. Solving food access requires the ability to disperse nutritious, culturally appropriate food on not just a neighborhood level, but directly to doorsteps.
Education and access are the cornerstones of our approach to building these vital connections within our community and with our staff. By intertwining access and education, FoodChain endeavors to create a sustainable food system that empowers individuals and communities. Through our leadership, we aim to ensure that everyone has equal access to fresh, nutritious food, while equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make informed choices that positively impact their lives and the communities they belong to. Together, we can build a resilient and equitable food system that serves as a catalyst for broader societal change.
Annual Reports
2021 Annual Report: The Year of Creative Connections
2020 Annual Report: The Year We Nourished Lexington
2019 Annual Report: The Year of Partnerships
2018 Annual Report: The Year of New Opportunities
2017 Annual Report: The Teaching and Processing Kitchen is here!
2016 Impact Numbers and End of the Year Mailer: Creating Connections
Publications
Brown J, Potter A, Forman L, Rossi J, Cason A, Mayfield C, Gustafson A. Developing a Community-Driven, Locally Sourced Medically Tailored Meal Model: A Pilot Linking Healthcare, Farmers, and Patients. Nutrients. 2026; 18(4):589. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18040589
Barr ML, OoNorasak K, Hughes K, Batey L, Jackson K, Marshall H, Stephenson T. Exploring Perceived Importance of a Novel Emergency Food Program during COVID-19 and Program Recipient Characteristics. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(20):10786. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010786
Up Home with Ouita Michel
Stories of Impact
July 23, 2026–Lexington nonprofit launches its latest venture to fight hunger – a low-cost community grocery store
May 27, 2026–FoodChain serves free summer meals to Fayette County children
May 7, 2026–FoodChain’s Neighborhood Green Grocery opens, provides fresh food at affordable prices
May 5, 2026–Neighborhood Green Grocery opens in a Lexington food desert
December 6, 2025–FoodChain’s aquaponics system supports education and food security
November 18, 2025–New vending machine provides meals around the clock in Lexington
November 14, 2025–FoodChain Lex working to make sure people who need food
October 30, 2025–FoodChain addresses those impacted by looming SNAP cuts
July 30, 2025–Lexington students grow passion for agriculture through summer program
September 3, 2024–New grocery store coming to Lexington’s north side with grab and go, meal options
June, 2024–Lexington’s ‘best kept secret’ provides hot meals and groceries — no questions asked
May, 2024–Lexington nonprofit holds fundraiser to help feed food-insecure families
March, 2024–Lexington’s Black real estate brokers help make a difference
Jan, 2024–FoodChain announces 6th annual FEAST!
May, 2023–Here’s how you can eat from 20 amazing Kentucky chefs and support a good cause
April, 2023–FoodChain and UK Food Connection host first tilapia harvest
April, 2023–FoodChain’s FEAST raises funds in Lexington
March, 2023–Local nonprofit helps supply food in storm aftermath
March, 2023–FoodChain feeds the city of Lexington after power outages
March, 2023–Lexington businesses offering food, charging stations amid ongoing power outages
Jan, 2023–Feast on fried fish caught straight in Lexington at this Kentucky Seafood shack
Jan, 2023–Lexington youth org enters 28th year of grant allocation
Aug, 2022–UK announces FoodChain as 2022-23 Cornerstone Community Innovation Partner
March, 2022–Lexington nonprofit ‘FoodChain’ celebrates 10 year anniversary
March, 2022– FoodChain connects community to wellness, well-being through healthy food
December 9, 2021 — FoodChain celebrates 10 years of fighting food insecurity in Lexington — LEX 18
November 16, 2021 — FoodChain offering Thanksgiving meal giveaway Monday, November 22 — LEX 18
November 12, 2021 — Positively LEX 18: Local farmer donating fresh turkeys with help from the public — LEX 18
November 10, 2021 — FoodChain names Chaquenta Neal as new executive director — The Lane Report
September 29, 2021 — Nourish Lexington, Delivery Co-Op team up to deliver food to those in need — WKYT
July 31, 2021 —Lexington block party works to unify neighbors — WKYT
November 24, 2020 — New online map helps fight food insecurity in Lexington — WKYT
August 10, 2020 — School Meal Pick-Up Sites a Challenge for KY Families Without Transportation — Public News Service
May 14, 2020 — To Fight Food Waste and Hunger, Food Banks Start Cooking — The New York Times
May 4, 2020 — Local Luminaries: Becca Self — Smiley Pete Publishing
April 29, 2020 — Nourish Lexington providing thousands of meals each week to families in need — LEX 18
April 21, 2020 — Nourish Lexington distributes more than 6,000 meals in first week — ABC 36 WTVQ
April 10, 2020 — Nourish Lexington employs food service workers, feeds families in need — Ace Weekly
April 8, 2020 — Nourish Lexington Handing Out Free Meals— Fox 56
April 1, 2020 — Nourish Lexington Initiative to employ displaced food service workers, feed families in need — The Lane Report
March 30, 2020 — Fayette County wasn’t planning to feed kids this week. So these volunteers stepped in — Lexington Herald Leader
March 26, 2020 — KY coronavirus help: Here’s where you can find assistance in Lexington, Central Kentucky — Lexington Herald Leader
March 20, 2020 — A Lexington non-profit is using food from shuttered restaurants to help feed kids, seniors — Lexington Herald Leader
February 17, 2020 — Inner-City Farm Grows Food and Understanding About Aquaponics — Spectrum News 1
February 5, 2020 — From tank to table: How an indoor fish farm gives Lexington chefs a tasty, unique edge — Lexington Herald Leader